That car goes 0-60mph in under five seconds, with a range up to 200 miles (322 km). Top speed is 120mph.

Chrysler would build the Jeep SUV with a petrol engine, meant to kick in when the vehicle's batteries run low on juice. Petrol would help recharge the batteries, while allowing drivers to extend the range of their auto.

All of these vehicles fall under the new Chrysler ENVI group, a division set up to run electric vehicle development. Batteries in the autos will be flatter, using cells shaped like thin plates instead of cylinders. The result is said to be lighter and more efficient, but Chrysler still has not found a manufacturer for the lithium-ion batteries.

The Jeep Patriot electric sport-utility vehicle demonstrates Chrysler's ability to be diversified, while appealing to a wide range of consumers. Adding an electric SUV to their lineup would no doubt appeal to a swath of Americans wanting to drive a big vehicle, but increasingly unwilling to pay the associated gas bills.

A Jeep Patriot EV would likely fit under Chrysler's extended-range vehicle scheme. Those vehicles would travel 40 miles (64 km) on battery power alone, with the ability to motor for 400 miles (643 km) on a single tank of gas.

In a statement released at the NAIAS, Chrysler development head Frank Klegon said, “We are well on our way to bringing electric vehicles to our consumers’ garages.”

However, Chrysler now faces two major problems. They have vowed to shareholders that they will produce at least one EV by 2010, but they still have not advanced beyond the concept stage. Additionally, with their well published shortage of cash, research-and-development funding at the company is likely tighter than in the past.

GM will release the Chevrolet Volt in 2010, and Nissan intends to release a production electric vehicle next year as well. Toyota will ship 150 units of the Toyota Prius as a plug-in hybrid this year, with an all-electric version due out in 2012. Chrysler certainly does not want to be left out of the party.

Jeep® Patriot EV joins the growing portfolio of electric-drive vehicles being developed by Chrysler LLC.

As a Range-extended Electric Vehicle, the Jeep Patriot EV combines the electric-drive components of an Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today's gasoline-powered vehicles.

"The Jeep Patriot EV expands our portfolio of ENVI electric-drive vehicles and is just one more example of what is possible through the technology Chrysler is developing," said Lou Rhodes, President, - ENVI, and Vice President, Advance Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler LLC. "Moreover, the Patriot EV provides socially responsible, advanced electric technology in the industry's most capable compact SUV."

The Jeep Patriot EV features a refined and clean front appearance to match the refined and clean powertrain. The signature Jeep grille features vertical accents, and the front fascia is a separate component to help set the grille apart. The use of body-color paint, blended with matte black B- and C-pillars, visually creates a smooth and elongated profile.

The unique wheel design and size gives the Jeep Patriot EV a wide stance which combines with the paint treatment to produce a sporty form. The interior of the Jeep Patriot EV features all of the elements introduced in the refreshed 2009 Jeep Patriot.

The Jeep Patriot EV uses an electric-drive motor, advanced lithium-ion battery system and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. Range-extended Electric Vehicles provide customers a no-compromise means of dramatically reducing their gasoline use and carbon footprint. The Jeep Patriot EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.

The Jeep Patriot EV features a new ENVI Green Pearl exterior with a prominent "EV" graphic adorning both sides - top-to-bottom - of the vehicle.